Podcast Summary: Ruthless Podcast

Episode: How the Left Makes Radicalism Mainstream

Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook
Guest: Jason Chaffetz (former U.S. Representative)
(Josh Holmes absent for this episode)

Brief Overview

This episode of the Ruthless Podcast presents an urgent, emotional, and pointedly critical analysis of political radicalization on the American left, catalyzed by the recent assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk. The hosts grapple with the media response, elected officials’ rhetoric, and public reactions, arguing that dehumanizing language and a “doomsday cult” mentality have now mainstreamed support for political violence. The show aims both to honor Kirk’s legacy and highlight what the hosts frame as institutional and cultural failures that encourage violence against conservatives.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reflection on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination (01:10–08:20)

• The hosts express deep grief and personal anger over the murder of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist.
• Discussion centers on the emotional impact for Kirk’s family and his broader legacy within the conservative movement.
• Listener comments reveal a widespread sense of mourning and outrage:
  • “May Charlie Kirk rest in peace. The Lord’s vengeance over this will be great. Charlie was also a modern day prophet.” (Ashbrook, 05:32)
  • “It just breaks my heart over and over and over again.” (Smug, 02:32)
• The significance of Kirk’s role as a leader and the inspiration he offered to otherwise isolated young conservatives is emphasized.

2. FBI Investigation Coverage (03:21–04:47)

• Michael Duncan updates listeners on the ongoing investigation, describing the FBI’s release of suspect images and a $100,000 reward.
• The seriousness and urgency of the search for the perpetrator are stressed: “They are in hot pursuit of somebody.” (Ashbrook, 04:09)

3. Mainstreaming Political Hatred and Violence (09:23–14:03)

• In-depth critique of left-wing rhetoric, especially by elected officials and mainstream media figures.
• Analysis of Democrat Senator Murphy’s remarks as emblematic of a toxic “by any means necessary” mentality:
  • “That is an ideology of violence. Like that’s what that is.” (Duncan, 10:13)
• The “champagne bottle” meme on social media – celebrating or anticipating the assassination of conservative figures – is discussed as evidence of normalized, left-wing hostility: “I had saved this bottle for when that thing happens. But Charlie Kirk’s good enough. I guess it’s that mainstreamed.” (Smug, 13:33)

4. Media and Democratic Party Responses—Dehumanization and Deflection (15:16–32:43)

• Multiple news clips and Democratic statements are played and dissected for their perceived defensiveness, victim-blaming, and failure to condemn violence unequivocally.
• Noteworthy segments include:
  • House Democrats refusing a moment of prayer for Charlie Kirk—met with outrage by the hosts (16:13–16:41).
  • Wired magazine headline, MSNBC, and New Republic coverage, all criticized for “dehumanizing” Kirk and conservatives by using terms like “MAGA troll” and drawing Nazi comparisons (24:49–26:24).
  • “They are willing to dehumanize conservatives. They’re willing to say that these are Nazis because that is critical to getting their extremist violence. They can mainstream it.” (Smug, 26:24)
  • Media pivoting rapidly to discuss gun control and assigning blame to rhetoric, rather than condemning the act itself (18:43–19:01).

5. Social Media Radicalization as a Mainstream Phenomenon (37:05–39:37)

• The hosts contend that hateful, violent attitudes are no longer limited to extremists but have overtaken mainstream culture—including professionals and academic leaders.
• Celebrations of Kirk’s death and calls for targeting more conservatives are highlighted as evidence.
  • “This is not a fringe idea on the left. That’s the mainstream beating heart of the left.” (Smug, 38:22)

6. Institutional Response and Policy Recommendations (40:26–42:36)

• Advocacy for a dedicated FBI task force to combat left-wing political violence.
  • “We need an FBI task force on left wing violence… this is not political speech. This is incitement to murder.” (Duncan, 40:26)
• Spillover into a broader discussion on law enforcement, urban safety, and the need to “reopen the asylums” for the criminally insane after a deadly incident in North Carolina is referenced (41:27–42:36).

7. Exclusive Interview: Jason Chaffetz’s Eyewitness Account (43:49–53:43)

• Chaffetz describes the traumatic experience of witnessing the assassination and his personal relationship with Kirk.
  • “I wish I could unsee it. And that ringing, that shot…it’s still, like, unbelievable to me.” (Chaffetz, 44:13)
• He reflects on Kirk’s unique ability to mobilize and inspire young conservatives: “He galvanized the youth in this country in a way conservatives never had been able to before. …For the first time, probably in the history of our country, a conservative youth movement.” (Smug, 47:34)
• Chaffetz calls for action and accountability: “We need to literally call it out for what it is...these things tend to go one direction. We’re gonna have to call it out and not be bashful and hold people accountable.” (Chaffetz, 50:02)

8. Call to Action, Unity, and Legacy of Free Speech (56:39 to End)

• The discussion pivots to what conservatives should do next:
  • Reiterate the need for courage in the face of threats: “We cannot be afraid to say what it is that we think. We cannot be afraid to stop showing people that it’s normal to be a conservative.” (Ashbrook, 57:33)
  • The importance of rejecting violence, embracing open discourse, and carrying forward Kirk’s message and example.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “[The] ideology of violence…by any means necessary.” — Michael Duncan, 10:13
• “You said, this guy’s Hitler.” — Comfortably Smug, describing leftist replies to calls for civility after violence, 10:54
• “We are talking about mainstream Democrats…the hatred is not limited to the lunatic fringe on the left. It has migrated into the mainstream media they control.” — Ashbrook, 02:13
• “They want a monopoly on violence… they want the left to have the monopoly on violence.” — Comfortably Smug, 19:01
• “If you gave the majority of these people true serum, they’d admit that they might not say it publicly, but that’s why they’re providing the cover for that sort of thing is because they actually agree with it.” — Michael Duncan, 17:25
• “The way that the left has systematically dehumanized conservatives in this country…” — Comfortably Smug, 25:40
• “When you can say your opponent is a Nazi or a troll or a fascist, you can create that permission structure…” — Comfortably Smug, 25:40
• “They have so blurred those lines, making words violence. Making words violence is how they create a permission structure to silence their opponents by any means necessary.” — Comfortably Smug, 22:26
• “It should be unacceptable in the United States…that working people have to put up with that when they’re just trying to feed their families.” — Michael Duncan, 42:20
• “Charlie never assumed that everybody was going to come to the same conclusion or think just like him. But he challenged people to learn how to think, something that’s not found in the classrooms.” — Jason Chaffetz, 48:26
• “First you have to win the argument, then you go win the vote.” — Jason Chaffetz, quoting Margaret Thatcher, 53:44

Important Timestamps

• Charlie Kirk’s Legacy/Listener Reactions: 05:10–08:20
• FBI Press Conference and Search Update: 03:21–04:47
• Sen. Murphy Clip and Violent Rhetoric Analysis: 09:23–10:54
• “Champagne Bottle” Meme Discussion: 13:09–14:03
• House Democrats Refuse Moment of Prayer: 16:13–16:41
• Dehumanization in Media (New Republic, Conway): 24:49–26:24
• Katie Tur (NBC) Clip Reaction: 27:05–28:24
• Activist Celebration & Social Media Radicalization: 37:05–39:37
• Jason Chaffetz Personal Account/Interview: 43:49–53:43
• Call to Conservative Action: 56:39–58:17

Overall Tone

The episode is emotionally charged, blending grief and indignation with combative, sometimes darkly humorous commentary. The hosts maintain a tone of camaraderie and urgency, repeatedly returning to their core themes: the mainstreaming of radical, dehumanizing attitudes by political and media elites, the need to respond robustly to violence and intimidation, and the importance of holding to conservative values even as the political climate grows colder and more threatening.